The Prime Minister's Deceitful Husband - Chapter 5

I… We have a marriage contract. You have to marry me.

 

The country fair was held once a month. Before noon, Xu Zeyan had already sold all his hairpins. He folded up the old cloth he used as a display and navigated through the narrow path crowded with vendors. After turning a corner, he arrived at his friend Ruan Zhi’s stall.

 

“Still haven’t sold out?”

 

Ruan Zhi asked, “Did you sell all your hairpins?”

 

“Yes,” Xu Zeyan replied.

 

Ruan Zhi looked at the large pile of bamboo baskets still on his table and sighed with envy. “Being handsome and educated really pays off. I’ve been selling for half the day, and I still have so many left.”

 

Xu Zeyan picked up a basket and examined it closely. The bamboo strips were woven tightly, making it look sturdy and durable. “Did Uncle Ruan make this?”

 

“Yes.” Ruan Zhi picked up another basket beside it, one woven so loosely it looked like it might fall apart. “This is the one I made.”

 

Xu Zeyan raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Didn’t Uncle Ruan beat you for that?”

 

Ruan Zhi gave a sheepish smile. “He couldn’t catch me.”

 

Xu Zeyan set the basket down and took out a carving knife. With a few swift strokes, he etched a simple auspicious cloud pattern onto the handle, then added the character for “luck.”

 

Ruan Zhi immediately understood Xu Zeyan’s intention. He grabbed a finished basket and began hawking his wares. “Come and see, good folk! Baskets with auspicious clouds and the character ‘Ji’ for good fortune! Not only are they beautiful, but they’re also sturdy. Perfect for carrying vegetables to the market or giving as gifts to relatives. Don’t miss out!”

 

A few villagers, drawn by his words, stopped to look. They saw the auspicious clouds and the character, and the basket did indeed look sturdy. One interested customer asked, “How much?”

 

“A very fair price, just five wen each.”

 

“Regular baskets are only three wen! Why is this one five?”

 

Ruan Zhi pointed to the markings. “This one has auspicious clouds and a character on it. Naturally, it’s worth more than a plain one. Just look at how beautifully it’s carved!”

 

The man agreed it was lovely, but the price was still a bit steep. He hesitated, unsure.

 

However, those with more money were less concerned. One of them bought a basket on the spot. “The calligraphy is beautiful. I’ll take it home for my son to study. Maybe if he sees it enough, he’ll finally learn to read.”

 

Hearing this, the others were instantly swayed. “I want one too!”

 

“Me! I want one!”

 

“Me too!”

 

Ruan Zhi quickly called out, “Don’t rush! Don’t rush! Everyone will get one, everyone will! Carving these characters takes time, so please be patient and wait a moment.”

 

At his words, the crowd gradually quieted down and turned their gaze toward Xu Zeyan.

 

Someone recognized him and exclaimed, “Isn’t that Scholar Xu? The characters on these were actually carved by him?”

 

“What? He’s Scholar Xu? He truly is a man of exceptional talent and looks!”

 

“If he carved them, then we definitely have to buy one! It might even bring us some of his good fortune.”

 

“Yes, yes!”

 

Xu Zeyan was one of only two scholars from the surrounding villages. The characters he carved were bound to carry good fortune. If they could just get a bit of that luck, perhaps their own children would become successful someday.

 

More and more villagers gathered, all wanting to buy a bamboo basket with auspicious clouds and characters. Xu Zeyan couldn’t carve them fast enough to keep up with the demand.

 

Before long, the baskets were completely sold out. Even the ones Ruan Zhi had woven were being sought after, but he felt too embarrassed to sell them. After selling all the baskets his father had woven, he persuaded the remaining villagers to leave.

 

After selling the baskets, Ruan Zhi grinned from ear to ear and treated Xu Zeyan to a bowl of noodles with meat.

 

On the way back, carrying his own woven basket, Ruan Zhi asked about the marriage proposal. “I heard you rejected another marriage proposal. Why this time?”

 

Xu Zeyan said faintly, “My family is poor. I dare not hold back a beautiful woman.”

 

Ruan Zhi teased, “Oh, please. I bet you’re just holding out for a celestial maiden… You use that excuse every time. Can’t you switch it up for once?”

 

Xu Zeyan remained noncommittal.

 

Ruan Zhi continued, “You’re a Scholar at such a young age, you’re handsome, and you’re in great shape. There are so many Ge’er and women within ten li who admire you. Do you really not fancy a single one of them?”

 

“I dare not hold back anyone,” Xu Zeyan said, sticking to his usual line.

 

Ruan Zhi sighed in exasperation. “Just you wait. One day you’ll fall head over heels. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually agree to the next marriage proposal.”

 

Xu Zeyan’s tone was certain. “Impossible.”

 

***

 

As night deepened, the candle flickered out.

 

Luo Shuheng tossed and turned on his bed. No matter how he shifted, he couldn’t get comfortable, so he finally gave up and stared at the top of the bed canopy.

 

*How should I bring it up tomorrow? Which route should I take to avoid others? What if the plan fails, how will I clean up the mess? And what if Xu Zeyan finds out he’s been tricked and decides to beat me up? And…*

 

Every time Luo Shuheng closed his eyes, Xu Zeyan’s cold expression and the various scenes of rejection flashed through his mind. But when he kept them open, he couldn’t fall asleep. For a moment, the night felt interminably long and torturous. He desperately wished for dawn to arrive, yet dreaded the moment it actually would.

 

He didn’t manage to fall into a restless sleep until the night was half over, and even then, his dreams were a chaotic jumble.

 

When he finally opened his eyes, the sky outside was just beginning to pale with the first light of dawn. Exhausted, he squeezed his eyes shut for a few more moments before forcing himself up. He splashed his face with cold water, the chill helping to clear the lingering fog from his mind.

 

After wiping away the red marks on his face, Luo Shuheng applied a touch of lip rouge, changed into a pale green robe, and styled his hair into a neat, spirited look.

 

With his fair skin, thick lashes, and large, bright almond-shaped eyes, he had always been naturally beautiful. Now, with this careful grooming, he was utterly captivating.

 

Luo Shuheng nodded in satisfaction at his reflection in the mirror. He then pulled a loose, grey cloak from his wardrobe, threw it over his shoulders, and donned the same earthy-grey veil he had used before. Finally, he left the Old Residence.

 

Mammy Xue, who had risen early, saw him leave. Assuming the Fifth Young Master was merely going for his usual walk, she paid him no mind and turned back to directing the servants with their cleaning.

 

Once outside, Luo Shuheng followed the route he had mentally rehearsed countless times.

 

He had scouted this path many times before. It was secluded and rarely traveled, ensuring no one would spot him.

 

Sure enough, he didn’t encounter a single soul until he reached the vicinity of Xu Zeyan’s house.

 

He circled to the back of the property, shed his gray outer robe, and removed his face veil. Approaching the front door, he raised his hand to knock.

 

His knuckles lingered on the wooden door for a moment before he tapped three times.

 

*Knock… knock… knock…*

 

The sound was so soft it was almost imperceptible.

 

He gathered his resolve and knocked harder this time, his other hand clutching his robe’s hem so tightly that the thin sweat on his palm dampened the fabric. His heart hammered like a drum.

 

The house remained silent, no movement from within. A wave of disappointment washed over him, mingled with nervous tension. He found himself torn, hoping the door would open slowly yet desperate for a quick resolution. His chest tightened, stifling his breath as he struggled to understand what he truly wanted.

 

“Who is it?”

 

Xu Zeyan’s voice suddenly drifted from inside. Luo Shuheng froze, his heart racing even faster, his breath hitching for a beat.

 

*Creeeeak—*

 

The brown door swung open, replaced by a figure in blue. A clear, bright voice called out from above, “Who are you? What brings you here?”

 

Luo Shuheng’s eyelashes fluttered. His mind went completely blank, and the carefully rehearsed lines from the night before vanished without a trace. He stood there, unable to utter a single word.

 

Xu Zeyan studied the young man before him. The quality of his clothes was exquisite, and his hair was held back by a jade hairpin of the finest grade. A red mole graced his earlobe. He was clearly no villager, but a *ge’er* from a wealthy family. What could have possibly brought him here alone?

 

After a moment of silence, Xu Zeyan lowered his gaze to the young man’s dark head, his eyes cold even as his tone remained gentle. “Did you get lost? Which house are you looking for? I can point you in the right direction.”

 

The young man still didn’t speak. Xu Zeyan’s patience wore thin. “If you have nothing else, I’m closing up for the day.”

 

Just as Xu Zeyan was about to shut the door, a hand trembled forward, palm open to reveal a crudely carved green jade pendant.

 

Then, a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz drifted out. “I… we have a marriage contract. You’re supposed to marry me.”

 

Xu Zeyan stared at the jade pendant, its carvings so rough they were almost comical, then glanced at the fine jade hairpin in the young man’s hair. A sudden laugh escaped him.

 

*Does this wealthy little master take me for a fool?*

 

The audacity of this young man was staggering. It was one thing to show up alone and try to scam him, but to use such an obvious fake for the con? Was he not afraid someone would see through his lie?

 

*What exactly is he playing at?*

 

Xu Zeyan’s gaze narrowed as he focused on the man before him, his eyes scanning him inch by inch with scrutiny.

 

Luo Shuheng waited for a response that never came, feeling a gaze so intense it seemed to strip him bare. A chill ran down his spine, and a flicker of fear bloomed in his heart.

 

*Did… did Xu Zeyan figure something out? How could he have noticed so quickly?*

 

He stole a cautious glance upward, only to find Xu Zeyan staring back with an unreadable expression.

 

*This isn’t good.*

 

Luo Shuheng quickly lowered his head, silently comparing their heights and builds.

 

The other man was a full head taller and far more muscular, easily capable of taking down two of him with a single punch.

 

Realizing he stood no chance, Luo Shuheng decided to retrieve the jade pendant and find another way. But just as he tried to pull his hand back, the pendant was snatched from his grasp.

 

He looked up cautiously and saw Xu Zeyan leaning against the door, twirling the jade piece in his hand. A faint smile played on his lips. “Alright then.”

 

For some reason, a sudden shiver shot down Luo Shuheng’s back. “I… I don’t want you to marry me anymore.”

 

Xu Zeyan’s smile grew even gentler, but his tone brooked no argument. “We have an agreement. How can you back out now?”

 

“Or were you lying to me just now?”

 

“I… I…” Luo Shuheng stammered, clutching the hem of his clothes guiltily. “I wasn’t.”

 

How could Xu Zeyan not notice the other man’s unnatural behavior? He simply didn’t care.

 

This rich young master had delivered himself right to Xu Zeyan’s doorstep, handing him such a massive advantage. How could he possibly refuse?

 

Since ancient times, talented scholars were meant for beautiful women. A beauty like this was a perfect match for him.

 

Since the other man had taken the initiative to offer himself, he would… gladly accept.

 

Xu Zeyan rubbed the jade pendant in his hand, his gaze fixed on the young master whose head was hanging lower and lower. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes as he asked with a playful tone, “When was our engagement arranged?”

 

Luo Shuheng blurted out, “My father was in danger during a business trip and was unexpectedly rescued by your father. The two of them began to correspond, and their friendship gradually deepened. After I was born, they arranged the engagement. However, my father passed away early, and few people knew about this marriage. I only found out recently, and this jade pendant is the token of the engagement.”

 

It sounded as if he had rehearsed the story many times.

 

Xu Zeyan tucked the jade pendant into his robes and produced another one, made of fine, warm, white jade. “Give me your hand.”

 

Baffled, Luo Shuheng obediently extended his hand.

 

The warm jade pendant was placed in his palm.

 

“This is the real token.”

 

Luo Shuheng’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.